they felt that any slowness on their part about the return of Negroes
was fully nullified by the efforts of the professional Negro stealers
with whom they had to deal.

Early in 1832, however, Colonel James Gadsden of Florida was directed
by Lewis Cass, the Secretary of War, to enter into negotiation for the
removal of the Indians of Florida. There was great opposition to a
conference, but the Indians were finally brought together at Payne's
Landing on the Ocklawaha River just seventeen miles from Fort King.
Here on May 9, 1832, was wrested from them a treaty which is of supreme
importance in the history of the Seminoles. The full text was as
follows:


TREATY OF PAYNE'S LANDING,

MAY 9, 1832

Whereas, a treaty between the United States and the Seminole nation
of Indians was made and concluded at Payne's Landing, on the
Ocklawaha River, on the 9th of May, one thousand eight hundred and
thirty-two, by James Gadsden, commissioner on the part of the United
States, and the chiefs and headmen of said Seminole nation of
Indians, on the part of said nation; which treaty is in the words
following, to wit:

The Seminole Indians, regarding with just respect the solicitude
manifested by the President of the United States for the improvement
of their condition, by recommending a removal to the country more
suitable to their habits and wants than the one they at present